Where was The Hobbit filmed: Unexpected filming locations

New Zealand is one of my favourite destinations, and the premiere of the first part of the new Hobbit trilogy is the perfect excuse to go back to the land of jaw-dropping backdrops and fantastical landscapes.

To find the perfect locations, five helicopters went out to comb the islands, Apocalypse Now style. As a result, some of the selected spots are a bit out of reach for the common tourist, but also of difficult access for all the equipment and crew required for a such a large production.

Before the release of the first part of the trilogy, it was not entirely clear where The Hobbit was filmed or exactly how the locations were used. Basically, our sources were the production video blog and the map that you will find at the end. Now finally we have most of the answers, and more accurate information about the filming locations of the three movies:

Earnslaw Burn is perhaps the most spectacular of all the locations in The Hobbit. You will find this valley of waterfalls and melting glaciers in Glenorchy, north of Queenstown. Image courtesy of Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters

This awesome place is set to represent the Anduin Valley of Middle-earth. The 2020 Netflix series The Letter for the King location were also filmed here. Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

We were not sure about the location of this valley, snapped from the teaser trailer.Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

As one of our readers pointed to, it's the Pass Burn Track on the Mavora Walkway (in the area of Queenstown, South Island), a section of New Zealand’s national walkway Te Araroa which goes across the country. But please check the comments for more info. Image by Glacier Fed

Paradise and Arcadia Station were all used as locations for the Outskirts of Bree and Beorns. It was also here that the Lothorien forest for the Lord of the Rings was filmed. Image by Hdrapprentice

In the story, Gandalf, Bilbo and a troupe of 13 dwarves undertake a quest into the wild domains of goblins and orcs, among other affable creatures. Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

The Remarkables are not the mortal enemies of the Expendables, but the imposing mountain range overlooking Queenstown, the so-called adventure capital of New Zealand. Image by WanderingtheWorld

The Remarkables have already been used as a location in Lord of the Rings, and make another appearance in The Hobbit to recreate the mythical Misty Mountains. Image by Stuck in Customs

Some dwarves enjoying their job, this time at the top of the Treble Cone, near Wanaka.Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

This is the view that can also be appreciated by the skiers of the station situated in Treble Cone.Image by Jordan Sim

Strath Taieri is a field of sharp boulders scattered around, where according to Peter Jackson, "you can shoot 360° in every direction". Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

Screen capture of the gang of dwarves in action in this area, not far from Dunedin.Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

Nearby are The Rock and Pillar Range, acting as the Dale Hills. Filming at the top of this almost inaccessible mountain required ten helicopters to carry the whole circus up there.Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

Braemar Station and the surrondings of Lake Pukaki were used for scenery as the Shores of Laketown.Image by Peter Nijenhuis

In this image, taken from a helicopter, the team does not seem to pay much attention to the azure waters of the lake. They are filming an Epic Landscape sequence, which means actors running up and down these virtually virgin lands. Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

Update: The scene belongs to The Battle of the Five Armies.Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

Now we continue north of the South Island to Canaan Downs, the same place where the hippie Luminate Festival takes place. Image by Four Footprints

This zone around Tataka Hill has the feeling of Middle Earth printed in the character of these awesome draconian stones. Image by Tim Parkinson

The Pelorus river is a pleasant surprise on the road near Nelson. The -let's say- elf-green shade of its crystal-clear waters on white rocks is an appealing attraction to stop off for a swim. Now also it is possible to do a Hobbit kayak tour in this gorgeous location with a local company. If you have the chance, you shouldn't miss this!

This river was the chosen location to throw the glorious dwarfs downstream, floating in barrels. The fierce Aratiatia rapids (in the North Island, where we are moving next) completed the sequence, this time with no cast inside them. Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

Mount Ruapehu (in the background) is very close to Ngauruhoe volcano (aka the legendary Mount Doom from LoR), both included in Tongariro National Park. Image by Andy McDowall

This time, Peter Jackson's crew was back to make use of these landscapes’ rare and delicate textures as the Long Valley and the Lonely Mountain. Apparently they were filming near the waterfall next to the parking lot of Turoa Ski Area.

Whoops, sorry, no Nazgûls in this new trilogy.

To create the scene pictured here, the company may be riding their horses and ponies near Ohakune. This time we are still not sure where this frame has been filmed. In any case, it looks like scenery that is better appreciated from the air. Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

The Mangaotaki valley near Piopio is a private land of bizarre rock formations, caves, nooks and crannies that made it ideal for the Trollshaw Forest. Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

The Desolation of Smaug features a mountain looking alike the mythical Mount Cook, viewed from the lake Pukaki. Image courtesy of New Line Cinema

We end our journey where everything starts, in Hobbiton, near Matamata. This time the friendly hobbit community has been rebuilt as a small perdurable theme park, on the same farmland where the LoR was filmed. Image by Duane Storey

Wellington was the chosen venue for the world premiere of the first part of the movie, the 28th of November 2012. Image by Daniel Peckham

This official video includes more information and great views of the wonderful places where The Hobbit trilogy was filmed.

NOTICE: If you’re using this information on your website, please credit and link to this page as a source.
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Finally, if you are looking for The Hobbit: Art & Design check out these series of beautifully detailed books, containing lots of extras and special features. These collection of books is probably the best you can find among the ton of merchandise available: